Times Of Swaziland: G. MAMBA SURVIVE CHAOTIC CLASH

G. MAMBA SURVIVE CHAOTIC CLASH
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Themba Zwane on 11/02/2019 08:40:00


PIGG’S PEAK – It was literally guns blazing in a chaotic Killarney Stadium,
as Green Mamba sneaked into the Last 16 of the EswatiniBank Cup here yesterday.
Off the pitch incidents, especially in the second half, were a head-turner as
Green Mamba beat Hhohho Super League side Zibonele Vultures 3-1 in first round
of the Eswatini Bank Cup outside the small Pigg’s Peak town. The drama started
immediately after the first half. Raymond Dlamini, the head coach of Malanti
Chiefs crossed in front of the dressing rooms that were allocated to and used by
Green Mamba.
Officials from the correctional side confronted the coach, who is reportedly the
owner of the Hhohho Regional Super League outfit. Apparently, Dlamini was just
passing by to the next dressing rooms where Vultures were booked to have a word
or two with the coaches and players. Police had to intervene to stop the chaos
as it was then a raucous affair, with supporters from both teams having joined
and making the situation worse. Police did a good job to control the situation
but were called to duty shortly thereafter. This time, as the second half
progressed on the pitch, an unidentified fan allegedly assaulted one of the home
team’s ball boys with open hands. It was the ball boy behind Green Mamba’s
goal post to be precise.
A group of Vultures fans charged towards the fan and wanted to beat him up in
revenge but officials from His Majesty’s Correctional Services chauffeured the
fan in their quantum which was at the stadium in an attempt to take him to
safety out of the stadium.
Serious
Other supporters of Vultures were in serious conflict with police officers at
the gate, they forced the police not to open the gate for the quantum until the
fan alleged to have assaulted the ball boy was taken out of the vehicle. Police
had a tough time controlling the chaos this time and one suspected to be a
plain-clothes police was forced to draw out a gun as they tried to put the
situation to order. Meanwhile, Vultures scored first, five minutes into the
second half. Mlungisi Ngwenya unleashed a volley that was too much for Thokozani
Mkhulisi to stop and the celebrations almost had the stadium quivered as the
home supporters congratulated the players. However, their joy was short-lived.